PSA vs BGS vs CGC: Which Grading Company Should You Use?

A detailed comparison of the three major card grading companies. We break down costs, turnaround times, grade scales, and which cards to send where.

SuperCatch

Publisher

Published

February 14, 2025

Read Time

1 min read

Choosing the right grading company can significantly impact your card's resale value, turnaround time, and buyer confidence.PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)Best for: Sports cards, especially vintage. PSA-graded cards consistently command the highest premiums. Their 1-10 scale is simple and universally recognized. Cost: $25-150 per card.BGS (Beckett Grading Services)Best for: Modern cards where subgrades matter. BGS provides four subgrades (centering, corners, edges, surface). A BGS 9.5 with all 9.5+ subgrades is called a "Quad" and is highly sought after. Cost: $22-250 per card.CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)Best for: Pokemon, TCG cards, and budget grading. CGC entered the card grading market more recently and offers competitive pricing with subgrades. Cost: $15-100 per card.Our RecommendationFor high-value vintage sports cards, use PSA. For modern cards where you want subgrade detail, BGS is excellent. For Pokemon and TCG, CGC offers the best value.

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